Inspiration from Isaiah.

I remember a long while back maybe a year or so ago now we did a study of Jeremiah where we here on SI did an open study of Jeremiah all reading Jeremiah at the same time or relatively close anyways to one another sharing what the Lord revealed to us as we went along.

It was very edifying and encouraging sharing our thoughts, I believe we did the same with some other books but I thought I would start of the Book of Isaiah for those interested in joining me I will be posting in this thread what the Lord shows me in Isaiah. :)

I join.
WHen and how we start?

Why not now :)

Isaiah 1:5-6 "Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart is afflicted. From the sole of your feet to the top of your head there is no soundness- only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged." NIV1984

I read this and saw the compassion our heavenly Father has for us, as a father myself I thought of times where my children disobey something I ask them and they get injuried in some way because they disobeyed. Israel failed to identify their sin and disobedience as the problem but all the more were in turmoil. Infact they kept sacraficing to appease God as but God says specifically "I have not pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats." Israel needed good ole fashion repentance to God or a turning to God forsaking their sins and their false Gods in order for God to step in and Heal them.

Isaiah 1:18-20 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." NIV1984

In Isaiah 1 we see a need for repentance and this is what God is calling for, many have not repented (turned from their sin) and without repentance there is no forgiveness, We can't call our sins white as snow but we as we turn our hearts to God are those that become White as snow. There is no sugar coating the message of the Cross, it frees those submitted to it from Sin.

Isaiah 2:6-9 "You have abandoned your people,the house of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and clasp hands with pagans. Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots. Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. So man will be brought low and mankind humbled— do not forgive them."

For me personally I believe in our day and age especially in the United States it would be foolish to ignore this passage. This is a proclaimation of Day of the Lord and the sins of the House of Jacob (or so it seems to me) The people have turned from God and have began to put their trust in supersitions, future telling, and agreements with the pagan world to get rich. Why are the people of Israel acting this way? Because they had spent to much time worshiping the works of their hands. We do the same today it just looks differently but this doesn't mean we are off the hook we must humble ourselves and trust in the Lord, or He is liable to just take everything we have away.

I believe Verse 22 sums up the entire intent and purpose of the greater bulk of chapter 2

"Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what accounts is he?"

Oh, Matt, I love the book of Isaiah! I am glad you are doing this! Mind if I share?

I see in Chapter 1:11-15 how God:
1. Had enough of burnt offerings of rams
2. Takes no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, goats,
of New moon festivals and appointed feasts
3. These things weary Him.

Why do these things weary Him? May I suggest that it is because people were resorting to rituals to atone for their rebellion. V.15: "Yes, even though you multiply prayers I will not listen, your hands are covered with blood." NASB People were very diligent in the observing of rituals but they lived in disobedience.

Modern day lessons: How often do we resort to doing good works believing that God will see and accept us for being so good while we are living in rebellion/disobedience to his written will?

Some things never change, do they?

"Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what accounts is he?"

This verse is so profound.

Why do I allow the fear of man manipulate my obedience to God?
This is the epitome of stupidity. And that includes me. I have been so stupid too many times. What will people think? They will get angry? They will be nasty? How do I know? Because of past experiences. So what do I do instead? Walk in fear!

But God says, "STOP!" Now.

Ah very good Ginny I was hoping you would join in this, such good fellowship from the Study in Jeremiah :)

I am guilty as well of the trap of "Good works atonement" God has no desire for it and infact the NIV says "My Soul Hates" we know from the attributes of God that for Him to hate something means it is the exact opposite of His love. Kind of blows the whistle on a Sunday morning service and those that come simply to do a weekly Ritual and punch the religious time card.

Do not hurry so much!:)

I agree, brother, and more:

It is a tragedy, how foolish can be men of God? It is written in verse 3, that an ox and a donkey knows his owner more, than His folk. It is a painful tragedy, that God's folks so much hates their father.

1, Wounds must be cleansed! Unfortunatelly, it is painful. God- like a good surgeon- knows, that it is painful, but saves life. Once He cuts our wounds to clean it, cut our hearts to clean out from sin, it is painful, but useful. This is the pain of repentance. So much of us are frightened of this pain, but do not know, that this is the only way to get rid of infectious wounds.

2, God is doing penalty with sinners, but discipline to His own children. That is why we feel His discipline on our life, we repent! Sinners feel His penalty on their life, and harden their heart- as written in Revelations so much times.
One of my favourites tells the same: Is 26:16 ​​​​​​​O LORD, in distress they looked for you; they uttered incantations because of your discipline. I have some sweet experience of God's discipline, that helps me to hold the way.

verse 13: 13 ​​​​​​​Do not bring any more meaningless offerings; I consider your incense detestable! You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations, but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations!

So much thrue! God never changed. His grace through Jesus will never approve sin-stained worship and praise.

15 ​​​​​​​When you spread out your hands in prayer, I look the other way; when you offer your many prayers, I do not listen, because your hands are covered with blood.

A truth about prayer: God will never listen to our prayer, if we are sinner. Here in Hungary, I hear a lot this word:
"whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you." But do not tell the conditions. It is not obvious that God listens to a prayer.

27 Zion will be freed by justice, and her returnees by righteousness.
It is written to the church and not to the world. Freed by justice!

Here in Hungary, it is the same situation as in USA. People started to believe anything- even "God"- but do not want to know Jesus and the only God.

There is a law of God clear in this 2nd chapter:
- Only God is worthy for the glory. No men.
- Proud and arrogant people will be humiliated, but:
- those, who are humble in heart will be exalted with the Lord. (eg. Mt 23:12). Only these humbles get grace of God.

It is amazing how they changed these original laws today in human-centered preaching. Like God would have to satisfy all our needs, as we were above all.

Good word Kono! I really enjoyed your first point particularly because there are times when God feels so far off but for the most part God is simply doing what He does best Purifying us, does it hurt Oh yeah! I know that hurt and God hurts so GOOD ;)

Sometimes we need it to go deeper in Him, and sometimes its things we aren't even aware about, when I first came to Christ I had no idea how dark my heart was until God cut it open with his Holiness. It reminds me of Proverbs 3:11 "My Son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke."

I use to ignore God's correction but now I LOVE it I even thank Him for it because Lord knows I need to be corrected.

This verse 6 is translated into hungarian: instead of cleanse the wound, it uses "crush out" the wound. You can imagine :D

If You crush out the matter out of the wound, it is much more painful, than if You leave it alone.

Chambers told, that sin is not causing any pain, as it makes You numb. Pain comes only when the Spirit starts His work on Your heart.

Edwards told that the pain, when realizing sins of your heart, must be so high, as if You had lost Your most precious thing on earth.
I think people forgot the way of repentance. Everyone wants to get rid easily of the sin, but without pain. Noone can convince me, that it works.

"Do not hurry so much!:)"

I agree! Isaiah is so wonderfully rich! Mine it for all its worth! :-)

I look forward to this study...

1, Ézs 3:1 ​​​​​​​Look, the sovereign LORD who commands armies is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah every source of security, including all the food and water...

That is for only He wants to be our security! In hungarian, translated to: support. It is grace, when we have no other support, only God. We are afraid of this state sometimes, but this is the best for us. We do not have to depend on circumstances, but depend on Him alone.

2, Ézs 3:6-7 ​​​​​​​Indeed, a man will grab his brother right in his father’s house and say, ‘You own a coat – you be our leader! This heap of ruins will be under your control.’ ​​​​​​​At that time the brother will shout, ‘I am no doctor, I have no food or coat in my house; don’t make me a leader of the people!’”

Now, we see people are fighting for positions. Everyone wants to be a leader, and collect admiration of men.
I have a position in the hungarian baptist youth comittee. Yesterday, my friend called me, and told: on the next session, some other guys may get our places. For they do not like us so much- as we are not willing to support all of their ideas, as a case of conscience.
I laughed:) Told him, that I do not care. With or without position, I do the same. If someone wants to take this responsibility instead of me, and the load of the work we have to do in dead wind, I am ready to gladly give him my position. For all of them wants positions. Not to serve God's people, but position and power.

3, Ézs 3:10-11 ​​​​​​​Tell the innocent it will go well with them, for they will be rewarded for what they have done.
Too bad for the wicked sinners! For they will get exactly what they deserve.

It is the day of the Lord. Some long for the day of the Lord, singing and praying: "Send Your fire, Lord!" You know, we have these kind of worship songs.
They do not know, what they ask for. It is a day of the joy only for the righteous, but day of fear and mourning for all the sinners.

4, Ézs 3:15 ​​​​​​​Why do you crush my people and grind the faces of the poor?” The sovereign LORD who commands armies has spoken.

Look at this, how wonderful God we have. He is just the opposite, what leaders of the world think about the poor, small, and downtrodden. They are precious for Him. They have greater priority in front of God, than the powerful, healthy and wealthy.

5, Ézs 3:16 ​​​​​​​The LORD says, “The women of Zion are proud. They walk with their heads high and flirt with their eyes. They skip along and the jewelry on their ankles jingles.

We find here the same picture as in Rev 17, and also at many other prophets: this is the great whore, the prostitute ( I don't know, which You use). The church that had husband (God), but is not faithful to Him. The wealth of the world is more important to her, than the true love of His husband. For the church has turned from God to the world. It does not matter to her, if she gains God's pleasure, but to gain the pleasure of the world. With power, schools, wealth, singing choirs, etc. When the bridegroom comes for his bride, he takes with himself only those who are faithful to Him.
Or would anyone marry a bride that had made prostitute with others, while he was not there?

Kono wrote:
"That is for only He wants to be our security! In hungarian, translated to: support. It is grace, when we have no other support, only God. We are afraid of this state sometimes, but this is the best for us. We do not have to depend on circumstances, but depend on Him alone."

This is a vital point in understanding the reasons for God's judgments. Too many folks cannot see past the immediate hurt and see this.

Isa. 2:12-18 shares some of the details...how God will work to destroy or cripple all the things that people look to for security.

People - v. 12: For the LORD of hosts will have a day of reckoning Against everyone who is proud and lofty
And against everyone who is lifted up,
That he may be abased.

Nature: v. 13-14:And it will be against all the cedars of Lebanon that are lofty and lifted up, Against all the oaks of Bashan, Against all the lofty mountains,
Against all the hills that are lifted up,

National security - v. 15: Against every high tower,
Against every fortified wall,

Commerce - v. 16:Against all the ships of Tarshish
And against all the beautiful craft.

Reason? v. 17:The pride of man will be humbled
And the loftiness of men will be abased;
And the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,

Result? - v.18: But the idols will completely vanish.

And there is more.

Im was completely impressed with chapter 3, if chapter two is about removing supports other than God then chapter 3 is its detailed execution. Of all the things that stuck out the most though is the Men's support is taken away and then the Lord takes extra time for the Women of Zion. Starting at verse 16 to 26

The women of Zion apparently would loose their one and only support their men likely wouldn't have and that is their looks, even their fragrance would be lost. But a women could sell her body easily to the pagan world BUT God removed that avenue by ruining their looks.

I do see it as beautiful poetry though, God is simply causing the outside to match the inside of Jerusalem and that is Ugly. And this would cause no one to want to partner with something so ugly, the actualy women of Jerusalem and the City of Jeruselem itself.

Isaiah 4,1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

It is essential to everyone, that want to have life, to call on the name of the Lord. We have to do the same; but our Lord gives much more: not only He takes our shame away, but He gives his own righteousness as apparel, and His own body as bread.

2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious:

This is the one man, written in verse 1, Jesus Christ.
And if someone grabs this man, call on the name of this man, will be saved:

4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

Holy means: separated for Him, as a fiance'e.

Ézs 4:3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:

And if someone belongs to Jesus, to covenant with Him, in marriage, will have His presence:

5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.”

His presence is:
Ézs 4:6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

A tabernacle, Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
His bread will be our bread, His home will be our home, His name will be our name.

Just saw this for the first time~! can anyone join in? I love Isaiah!

Everyone is welcome :) Really the only "rule" is when you post something put what Chapter and verse you are going to talk about or just what chapter this helps with keeping stuff organized a bit better.

Isaiah 6 1

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.

Oh, this one is too much for me to even take in.

Think this might be revival:
Isaiah 6

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”